Restrictor attachment for unfiltered smoking article

ABSTRACT

A smoking article having an unfiltered tobacco rod, a connector attach to the tobacco rod and a mouthpiece. The connector includes a cavity, a transverse partition within the cavity, the transverse partition having at least one orifice, and a plurality of ventilation passages positioned around an outer periphery of the connector. Each of the plurality of ventilation passages includes an inlet and an outlet to provide ventilation to the cavity. The mouthpiece is adapted to attach to a downstream end of the connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/906,116, filed Mar. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by thisreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Heretofore, cigarettes with high levels of ventilation usually haveusually had unacceptably low levels of resistance to draw (RTD) unlesssome counter measure was in place to make-up the shortfall in RTD.

Resistance to draw is the pressure drop of a smoking article at FTCconditions.

In the past, high-density cellulose acetate filter segments were used toaddress the short fall. However such filtered segments tended to removetar, with little or no effect upon gas phase components of mainstreamtobacco smoke, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NO).This solution tended to worsen the CO to tar (FTC) ratios in lowerdelivery (FTC tar) cigarettes.

Ventilation has a desirable attribute that it, when operating alone,will reduce both the particulate phase and the gas phase of mainstreamsmoke. Highly ventilated cigarettes, however, have drawbacks in RTD aspreviously discussed.

In addition, most filter cigarettes are typically designed to have thetobacco rod attached to a cellulose acetate filter. While filterventilation affects the particulate phase (PP) and the gas-vapor phaseproportionally, cellulose acetate only removes the particulate phase.Such a conventional filter cigarettes with ventilation holes have aratio of carbon monoxide to tar (FTC) that is between 0.8 and 2.5,depending on the overall cigarette design. The ratio of carbon monoxideto tar (“CO to tar ratio”) for unfiltered cigarettes is typicallybetween 0.45 and 0.65.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is desirable to have smoking articles with a highventilation level, acceptable resistance to draw (RTD) and favorable COto tar ratio.

In accordance with one embodiment, a smoking article comprises a tobaccorod; and a connector adapted to attach to the tobacco rod at an upstreamend portion of the connector, the connector comprising: a cavity; atransverse partition within the cavity, the transverse partition havingat least one orifice; and a plurality of ventilation passages disposedalong an outer periphery of the connector, the plurality of ventilationpassages having an inlet at the upstream end portion of the connectorand an outlet in communication with the cavity.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a kit comprises a connectoradapted to receive a tobacco rod at an upstream end portion, theconnector comprising: a cavity; a transverse partition within thecavity, the transverse partition having at least one orifice; and aplurality of ventilation passages positioned around an outer peripheryof the connector, the plurality of ventilation passages having an inletand an outlet to provide ventilation to the cavity; a mouthpieceinsertable into a downstream end portion of said connector; and atobacco rod insertable into said upstream end portion of said connector.

In accordance with another embodiment, a kit comprises a plurality ofconnectors adapted to receive a tobacco rod at an upstream end portionand wherein the plurality of connectors have different ventilationlevels, the plurality of connectors comprising: a cavity; a transversepartition within the cavity, the transverse partition having at leastone orifice; and a plurality of ventilation passages positioned aroundan outer periphery of the connector, the plurality of ventilationpassages having an inlet and an outlet to provide ventilation to thecavity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking article in the form of anunfiltered cigarette, a connector and a mouthpiece in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 1, whichincludes an unfiltered cigarette, a connector (or restrictor attachment)and a mouthpiece with a plurality of ventilation passages on an upstreamside of a transverse partition within the connector.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the connector of FIG. 2 along theline 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the transverse partition of thesmoking article of FIG. 2 along the line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the transverse partition of thesmoking article of FIG. 2 along the line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the transverse partition of thesmoking article of FIG. 2 along the line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the transverse partition of FIG. 6along the line 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the transverse partition accordingto a further embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 1 with aplurality of ventilation passages or ventilation holes on an upstreamside of a transverse partition.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 1 witha plurality of ventilation passages or ventilation holes on a downstreamside of a transverse partition.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the smokingarticle of FIG. 1 having a porous or screening material on an upstreamside of the transverse partition.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment, whereinthe orifice of the transverse partition has a frustoconical shape.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment, wherein therestriction connector includes a pair of transverse partitions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a smoking article 10 in the form of an unfiltered cigarette(tobacco rod) 20, a connector (or restrictor attachment) 30 and amouthpiece 40. The unfiltered cigarette 20 preferably comprises agenerally cylindrical rod 22 (i.e., tobacco rod) of smoking material 21(FIG. 2), contained in a circumscribing outer wrapper 24. The outerwrapper 24 is typically a porous wrapping material or paper wrapper. Theconnector (or restrictor attachment) 30 connects the unfilteredcigarette 20 with different types of mouthpieces 40.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the smoking article 10 of FIG. 1with the connector 30 having a plurality of longitudinal ventilationpassages 60 in the form of longitudinal ventilation channels, whichprovide ventilation to the mainstream smoke of the smoking article 10.As shown in FIG. 2, the generally cylindrical rod 22 of smoking material21 is typically referred to as a “tobacco rod,” and has a lit orupstream end 12 and a downstream end 14. The smoking material 21 ispreferably a shredded tobacco or tobacco cut filler. However, anysuitable smoking material 21 can be used.

The connector 30 extends over the mouth end 14 of the tobacco rod 22such that the connector 30 and tobacco rod 22 overlap one another. Theconnector 30 has a generally cylindrical bore forming a cavity 32therein. The inner diameter of the cavity 32 is essentially equal to theouter diameter of the tobacco rod 22, preferably so as to establish asliding fit therebetween. The connector 30 includes an upstream end 16and a downstream end 18, which are open to permit the passage of air andmainstream smoke therethrough.

Ventilation to the cavity 32 can be established with a plurality oflongitudinal ventilation passages 60, which are preferably disposedalong an outer periphery 39 of the connector 30. The plurality ofventilation passages 60 can be formed within a wall 37 of the connector30 or extend into the outer periphery 39 of the connector 30. Inaccordance with a preferred embodiment, the plurality of ventilationpassages 60 have an inlet 62 at an upstream end portion 11 of theconnector 30 and an outlet 64 in communication with the cavity 32. Theplurality of ventilation passages 60 are preferably circumferentiallyspaced about the outer periphery 39 of the connector 30. During smoking,the plurality of ventilation passages 60 admits ventilation air to thecavity 32 within the connector 30, wherein the air is allowed to mixwith the mainstream smoke before arriving at the mouthpiece 40.Preferably, the ventilation passages 60 in the connector 30, achieves aventilation level of at least 10%, and more preferably at least 50% to90%.

In accordance with one embodiment, the connector 30 can include atransverse partition 50 that defines at least one orifice (or flowrestrictor) 52 (FIG. 6) of reduced diameter. The transverse partition 50can be comprised of an annular plate 54 having at least one orifice 52.The transverse partition 50 divides the cavity 32 of the connector 30into a first or upstream cavity 34, and a second or downstream cavity36. During smoking, the transverse partition 50 introduces aresistance-to-draw (RTD) to the smoking article 10, which is at a leveltypically expected by the ordinary smoker. The transverse partition 50is preferably positioned an equal distance from each end 16, 18 of theconnector 30. However, it can be appreciated that by changing thelocation or position of the transverse partition 50 and/or the numberand location of the at least one orifice 52, that the resistance to draw(RTD) can be varied and/or changed to establish levels of RTD, which areexpected by the smoker of the smoking article 10.

The at least one orifice 52 on the transverse partition 50 provides adesirable resistance to draw (RTD) for the smoking article 10, which iscomparable to a conventional filtered cigarette. It can be appreciatedthat different ventilation levels (e.g., 10%-90%) can be incorporatedinto the connector 30 through a plurality of ventilation passages 60,which provides desired delivery (FTC tar) from the same cigarette 20 ortobacco rod 22. The geometry of the connector 30 can also be adapted sothat the chance of fingers blocking or obstructing some or all of theplurality of ventilation passages 60 during a puff is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 30 extends over an upstream end 17 ofthe mouthpiece 40 such that the connector 30 and mouthpiece 40 overlapone another. The mouthpiece 40 also has a generally cylindrical shape,and the diameter thereof is essentially equal to the diameter of thetobacco rod 22 and the connector 30 preferably, so as to establish asliding fit between the mouthpiece 40 and the connector 30. The ends 17,19 (i.e., the upstream end 17 and a downstream or mouth end 19) of themouthpiece 40 are open to permit the passage of air and mainstream smoketherethrough. In addition, the ends 17, 19 of the mouthpiece 40 can havedifferent diameters, wherein the downstream or mouth end 19 can have asmaller diameter than the upstream end 17, which results in the taperingof the flow channel (not shown) between the ends 17, 19 of themouthpiece 40. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece 40 comprises amolded piece of polymer material or a segment of filtering material 70(FIG. 9) such as a length of cellulose acetate in a paper wrapper.

It can be appreciated that since the transverse partition 50 preferablyprovides the desirable resistance to draw to the smoking article 10, themouthpiece 40 does not need to counter the low resistance-to-drawnormally associated with smoking articles 10 having high levels ofventilation. Instead, the mouthpiece 40 is preferably constructed to beof low particulate efficiency.

In accordance with an embodiment, the connector 30 is preferably made ofa paper product or a biodegradable plastic or other suitable materialhave degradability properties. For example, the mouthpiece 40 ispreferably formed of a suitable, self-supporting material, which can beeasily molded, such as a synthetic plastic, paper, or otherbiodegradable material. The connector 30 and mouthpiece 40 can also beconstructed with or without flavor or any special application materials(such as catalysts, smoke diluents, carbon, etc.), and with or withoutporous paper plug on the mouth or downstream end 19 for appearance.

The connector 30 has a generally cylindrical shaped body, and an innerdiameter 31 thereof that is essentially equal to the outer diameter ofthe tobacco rod 22. The connector 30 includes an outer surface 33 and aninner surface 35. The inner surface 35 is preferably smooth to receivethe mouth end or downstream end 14 of the tobacco rod 22 or the upstreamend 17 of the mouthpiece 40. In accordance with an embodiment, themouthpiece 40 is insertable into a downstream end portion 13 of theconnector 30 and a tobacco rod 22 is insertable into the upstream endportion 11 of the connector 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 30 includes a plurality of inlets 62,which are preferably positioned on the upstream end 16 of the connector30. The inlets 62 of the ventilation passages 60 are preferably incommunication with the upstream end 16 of the connector 30, such thatthe fingers of the smoker will not block the airflow during smoking.

The plurality of ventilation passages 60 are located inside therestriction connector 30 and extend longitudinally along a portion ofthe length of the connector 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality ofventilation passages 60 have a generally elliptical cross-section, andare preferably equally spaced around the outer periphery 39 of theconnector 30. However, it can be appreciated that the ventilationpassages 60 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape includingcircular, rectangular, or V-shaped. The connector 30 preferably has asmooth cylindrical inner surface 35 at the ends 16, 18 adjacent to thetobacco rod 20 and the mouthpiece 40. It can be appreciated thatdifferent ventilation levels can be incorporated into the connector 30,through combinations of channel or groove 60 size and number ofventilation passages 60, to provide a desired smoke delivery level (FTCtar) from the same unfiltered cigarette 20 or single tobacco rod 22. Inaddition, the geometry of the connector 30 and the plurality ofventilation passages 60 can be configured so that blockage of theventilation passages 60 is difficult. With such safeguard againstblockage, the connector 30 may be made short in length, much akin to thelength of a filter of a conventional lit-end filtered cigarette.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 30 includes an outlet 64 to the cavity32 of the connector 30. The outlet 64 provides air ventilation to thecavity 32, wherein the airflow (i.e., ventilation) is mixed with themainstream smoke from the tobacco rod 22. The outlets 64 can be locatedwithin the upstream cavity 34 of the connector 30. However, and nowreferring also to FIG. 10, it can be appreciated that in an alternativeembodiment, the outlets 64 are located in the downstream cavity 36 ofthe connector 30 (i.e., downstream of the transverse partition 50). Thedistance between the outlets 64 of the ventilation passages 60 from themouthpiece 40 is at least 5 mm and more preferably in the range of 5-25mm. It is to be appreciated that the bore (i.e., inner diameter ofventilation passages) and the length of the ventilation passages 60 canbe selected to impart a desired level of pressure drop to the flow ofventilation air.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transverse partition 50 comprises a plate 54having at least one orifice 52. The orifice 52 is preferably sized tocontribute sufficient pressure drop such the smoking article 10 presentsa resistance to draw of at least 40 mm water or greater, and morepreferably in the range of 50-80 mm water. Preferably, the transversepartition 50 has a diameter of approximately 7.0 to 8.0 mm and morepreferably approximately 7.4 to 7.8 mm. The transverse partition 50preferably has at least one or optionally, at least two orifices 52 of adiameter of about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm and more preferably about 0.3to 0.6 mm and most preferably about 0.4 mm each. The transversepartition 50 is also preferably integrally formed as a unit with theconnector 30. In addition, the transverse partition 50 is preferably notvisible to the smoker. The transverse partition 50 can be made of paper,biodegradable plastic, or metal and more preferably made of a paperproduct or other suitable material having degradability properties.

It can be appreciated that the connector 30 in accordance with oneembodiment is preferably dimensioned such that the tobacco rod 20 andthe mouthpiece 40 fit snugly within the connector 30 and that a desiredspaced-apart relation is maintained between the transverse partition 50and the tobacco rod 20 and/or mouthpiece 40. Alternatively, a detent, anannular stop, a circular ring or portion thereof, or other suitablestopping element can be used to maintain the tobacco rod 20 and/ormouthpiece 40 in a desired spaced-apart relation with the transversepartition 50.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the transverse partition 50 ofFIG. 6 along the line 7-7. As shown in FIG. 7, the transverse partition50 preferably has a thickness 56 of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm andmore preferably a thickness 56 of about 1.0 mm.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of another embodiment of atransverse partition 50 comprising a plate 54 having at least twoorifices 52. As shown in FIG. 8, the plate 54 has at least two orifices52, which can be equally spaced around the center (or center portion) ofthe transverse partition 50. However, it can be appreciated that theplurality of orifices 52 can be spaced in any suitable arrangement. Thenumber of orifices 52 as well as their size and position in the plate 54depend on the desired resistance-to-draw (RTD) or pressure drop, andefficiency for the transverse partition 50.

In another embodiment, the transverse partition 50 can be coated withmicroencapsulated flavorants 58. As shown in FIG. 8, the plate 54 of thetransverse partition 50 is coated with microencapsulated flavorants 58.During a puff, upon impact of the high velocity smoke against the plate54 and/or moisture from the mainstream smoke, the flavorant of themicroencapsulated flavorants 58 are released into the mainstream smoke.Instead of microencapsulated flavorants 58, any other suitable material58′ or catalyst may be used to generate flavor upon impaction from themainstream smoke at or about the partition 50. Alternatively, it can beappreciated that moisture from the mainstream smoke can release theflavorants 58 as a result of expansion, evaporation, distillation,decomposition or other suitable reactions to the moisture within themainstream smoke.

The flavorants 58 can be a single component or a multi-flavoredcomponent that is suitable for use in cigarette manufacturing such asmenthol and vanillin. Alternatively, the flavorants 58 can be an aromaof choice, such as peppermint, coconut, roasted, and/or toasted aromas.However, almost any flavor oil or composition can be used. In addition,the concentration of flavorants 58, on the transverse partition 50 canbe adjusted or modified to provide the desired amount of flavorants 58.Thus, the concentration of the flavorants 58, on the transversepartition 50 can vary depending on the desired aroma and/or organolepticqualities of the smoke.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the smokingarticle 10 of FIG. 1 with a connector 30 having a transverse partition50 and a ventilation zone 90 on a downstream side of the transversepartition 50. The ventilation zone 90 is preferably comprised of atleast one row of holes or perforations 92, each of which extends through(i.e., through the outer surface 33 and the inner surfaces) theconnector 30 into the downstream cavity 36 of the connector 30. In analternative embodiment, the ventilation zone 90 can be located on anupstream side of the transverse partition 50, such that the at least onerow of holes or perforations 92 extend into the upstream cavity 34 ofthe connector 30.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, the mouthpiece 40 can includea filtering material 70. The filter material 70 is preferably celluloseacetate; however, any suitable filtering material 70 can be used. Forexample, in an alternative embodiment, the filtering material 70 can becomprised of cellulose acetate with an activated carbon disposedthroughout (often referred to as carbon-on-tow) or any other suitablefiltering material 70 and/or sorbents and/or other additives such asflavorants.

FIG. 10 shows a cross sectional view of another embodiment of thesmoking article 10 of FIG. 1 with a cigarette filter 40 having atransverse partition 50 and a plurality of ventilation passages 60,wherein the outlets 64 of the plurality of ventilation passages 60extend to the downstream cavity 36 of the connector 30. In thealternative, outlets 64 may be situated at locations both downstream ofthe partition 50 and upstream of the partition 50.

It can be appreciated that since the mouthpiece 40 is not directlyattached to the cigarette 20 or tobacco rod 22, the mouthpiece 40 can bestored separately. Thus, the mouthpiece 40 can include differentflavorants 72 as shown in FIG. 10, such as menthol, or functionalmediums 74, such as catalysts or smoke diluents, which can be appliedand retained or added to the mouthpiece 40. In addition, the flavorants72 and/or functional mediums 74 can be individually sealed andseparately retained until such time that is placed within the mouthpiece40 for use.

FIG. 11 shows a cross sectional view of another embodiment of theconnector 30 of FIG. 1, wherein at least a portion of the upstreamcavity 34 includes a screening material 80. In accordance with anembodiment, the screening material 80 prevents loose bits of smokingmaterial 21 in the form of loose tobacco filler from blocking theorifices 52 of the transverse partition 50. It can be appreciated thatthe screening material 80 can be any suitable porous material, whichprevents loose tobacco or smoking material 21, from blocking the atleast one orifice 52 of the transverse partition 50.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the transversepartition 50 establishes that the flow restriction may be frustoconicaland convergent either into or away from the direction of flow ofmainstream smoke passing therethrough. As shown in FIG. 12, thetransverse partition 50 includes an orifice 52 having a frustoconicalshape 53.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment, wherein the connector 30 includes apair of transverse partitions 50. As shown in FIG. 13, the pair oftransverse partitions 50 comprises a pair of plates 54 (FIG. 6), whereineach plate 54 has at least one orifice 52.

It can be appreciated that the restriction connector 30 can eliminate orminimize the usage of cellulose acetate filter components. In addition,the tobacco rod 20, the connector 30 and the mouthpiece 40 can be madeof biodegradable materials. The smoking article 10 can also achievedifferent tar deliveries from the same pack of cigarettes 20 (or tobaccorods 22) using different ventilation connectors 30 having variousventilation capabilities. The smoking article 10 as shown also resultsin cost savings from an easier cigarette making process.

It will be understood that the foregoing description is of the preferredembodiments, and is, therefore, merely representative of the article andmethods of manufacturing the same. It can be appreciated that variationsand modifications of the different embodiments in light of the aboveteachings will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments, as well as alternativeembodiments, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe articles and methods as set forth in the attached claims.

1. A smoking article comprising: a tobacco rod; and a connector adaptedto attach to the tobacco rod at an upstream end portion of theconnector, the connector comprising: a cavity; a transverse partitionwithin the cavity, the transverse partition having at least one orifice;and a plurality of ventilation passages disposed along an outerperiphery of the connector, the plurality of ventilation passages havingan inlet at the upstream end portion of the connector and an outlet incommunication with the cavity.
 2. The smoking article of claim 1,further comprising a mouthpiece insertable into a downstream end portionof the connector.
 3. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein theplurality of ventilation passages are longitudinal and formed within awall of the connector.
 4. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein theplurality of ventilation passages have an elliptical cross-section. 5.The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the inlets are located on anupstream end of the connector.
 6. The smoking article of claim 1,wherein the transverse partition separates the cavity into an upstreamcavity and a downstream cavity, and the outlets of the plurality ofventilation passages extend into the upstream cavity.
 7. The smokingarticle of claim 1, wherein the transverse partition separates thecavity into an upstream cavity and a downstream cavity, and the outletsof the plurality of ventilation passages extend into the downstreamcavity.
 8. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the at least oneorifice comprises a plurality of orifices, the plurality of orificesbeing equally spaced around a center portion of the transversepartition.
 9. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the connectorfurther includes a screening material on an upstream side of thetransverse partition.
 10. The smoking article of claim 2, wherein themouthpiece further comprises a plug of filtering material.
 11. Thesmoking article of claim 1, wherein the transverse partition is coatedwith microencapsulated flavorants.
 12. The smoking article of claim 1,wherein the transverse partition has a frustoconical shape.
 13. Thesmoking article of claim 1, further comprising at least two transversepartitions.
 14. A kit comprising: a connector adapted to receive atobacco rod at an upstream end portion, the connector comprising: acavity; a transverse partition within the cavity, the transversepartition having at least one orifice; and a plurality of ventilationpassages positioned around an outer periphery of the connector, theplurality of ventilation passages having an inlet and an outlet toprovide ventilation to the cavity; a mouthpiece insertable into adownstream end portion of said connector; and a tobacco rod insertableinto said upstream end portion of said connector.
 15. The kit of claim14, wherein the plurality of ventilation passages are longitudinal andformed within a wall of the connector.
 16. The kit of claim 14, whereinthe inlets are located on a downstream end portion of the connector. 17.The kit of claim 14, wherein the at least one orifice comprises aplurality of orifices, the plurality of orifices being equally spacedaround a center portion of the transverse partition.
 18. The kit ofclaim 14, wherein the connector further includes a screening material onan upstream side of the transverse partition.
 19. The kit of claim 14,wherein the transverse partition is coated with microencapsulatedflavorants.
 20. The kit of claim 14, wherein the transverse partitionhas a frustoconical shape.
 21. The kit of claim 14, wherein theconnector further includes at least two transverse partitions.
 22. A kitcomprising: a plurality of connectors adapted to receive a tobacco rodat an upstream end portion and wherein the plurality of connectors havedifferent ventilation levels, the plurality of connectors comprising: acavity; a transverse partition within the cavity, the transversepartition having at least one orifice; and a plurality of ventilationpassages positioned around an outer periphery of the connector, theplurality of ventilation passages having an inlet and an outlet toprovide ventilation to the cavity.